I’d reached the middle of February 2018 when something came over me to make “Pain Mais.” Since returning to New York about 10 years ago, this would be only the second time in 10 years that I would be making Haitian cornbread – Pain Mais – the bread of my people.

Running around for weeks skipping breakfast was not doing me any good. One morning I realized that there were three over riped bananas on the dining room table. The previous week I had thrown out one banana gone bad and throwing out three this week would’ve been a crime. The only recipe I knew offhand by heart that would use three overriped bananas was Pain Mais. American style Banana Bread was another recipe but I had long lost my bread pan to make that. Pain Mais was the only option that would rescue three very sad looking bananas.

I was feeling frustrated and helpless that afternoon. I had completed yet another temp. assignment the week before and now I had no job to go to for the current week. I had spent weeks looking for and applying to writing assignments with nothing coming up. Truly I was living between a rock and a hard place.

Stirring cornmeal on a hot stove and then baking it was the therapy I needed. I had bought a pack of steno pads the week before but only managed to write about two pages worth of notes for my book. I wanted to see a project completed from beginning to end. Cooking at the moment was the only thing to do that provided that sort of satisfaction.

It’s a known fact that most artists are only appreciated until after they are dead. Basquiat’s painting on loan to the Brooklyn Museum right now is what comes to mind. Unfortunately, drugs cut short the life of a young Haitian artist making it in New York City.

For now copywriting has not supported me. Copywriting has inspired my vision to be a writer. Nevertheless, I really appreciate the temp. jobs when they do come.

I wish I could say the same for copywriting assignments.

Something very much a coincidence happened as I was preparing the Pain Mais.

As I flipped through the channels to get some noise going other than my breathing, a show called Afro Pop had a commemorative special on the earthquake that occurred in Haiti in 2010.

As I stirred the thick cornmeal gruel on the stove top, my emotions were stirred as well to the visual reminders of seeing the devastation of an earthquake on my people in their country. Inadequate is not the word that can describe how I felt.

Instead of trying to make sense of what I saw, I focused on the task at hand, making the bread of my people.

Many lives lossed yes. Haitian people got up after the earth shook and broke buildings but not their spirit to live. They saved those who could be saved. Money disappeared. What else was new? Tents and makeshift houses came up. The lines of the cruel blows of disappointment etched onto faces ready to resist. And here I stood connected by the bread of my people. We’re surviving. Promises made, promises broken. We are here ready to move forward. Today we made the most of what we could. Waiting for Bon Dieu to answer our requests. We know the routine. We must wait. And in waiting we are still here.

Haiti forever in my heart.

Regine Baptiste

]]>https://wordgripactioncopywritingservice.com/2018/02/28/the-bread-of-my-people/feed/0reginebaptiste20180213_111951It’s Not Just The Chemicals In Ice Cream That Are Bad For Youhttps://wordgripactioncopywritingservice.com/2017/12/25/its-not-just-chemicals-in-ice-cream-that-are-bad-for-you/
https://wordgripactioncopywritingservice.com/2017/12/25/its-not-just-chemicals-in-ice-cream-that-are-bad-for-you/#respondMon, 25 Dec 2017 23:00:51 +0000http://wordgripactioncopywritingservice.com/?p=1632Continue reading It’s Not Just The Chemicals In Ice Cream That Are Bad For You]]>(Please see at the end of this blog how Adirondack ice cream is part of the solution.)

If your ice cream has Polysorbate 80 or Mono and Diglycerides you must stop eating it now. I remember the first time someone told me that.

Like most people, I had taken for granted what was in my food. If it had a good taste and the price was right then I continued to buy it and eat it.

That was the wrong way to go about choosing food.

I had been influenced by many commercials that made my trip to the supermarket a no brainer. Instead of choosing quality foods, I chose brands.

I had a sheep mentality.

Before I continue, I’ll like to share with you important facts about ice cream you need to read about. There are many Food Activists out there who are tirelessly challenging companies to remove harmful ingredients from their products. One excellent source is,”Food Babe” fame Vani Hart who has written two articles related to ice cream and milk products, they are, “Is There Really A Healthy Ice Cream Brand?,” and “After You Read This You’ll Never Look At Milk The Same Way Again!” Read these two articles for the details you need to know the next time you buy ice cream and milk products.

For decades many voices have been crying out to the food industry to change. Vani Hart has a bold and fresh way that has added many wins in the battle towards healthy food consumption. In my opinion she is fearless.

You don’t need to have a sheep mentality anymore. I chose Vani as she can provide you with up to date and immediate steps to take about various foods. You’ll enjoy reading her articles and books.

We have a personal responsibility towards better food choices. Using our cell phones for research can speed up what we need to know about food. The next time you are at the supermarket, do more than just read the labels. Look up the ingredients. Google Polysorbate 80 on your cell phone. Once you do, you’ll see how harmful Polysorbate 80 is and put that food item back on the shelf that contains it.

The force for positive change begins with you. It’s not just the chemicals in food that are bad for you, it’s your willingness to keep a blind fold over your eyes when you buy food.

This issue is much bigger than your own health.

With tens of thousands of farmers from around the world committing suicide, that fact should be an alarming indicator that something has gone very wrong with our food supply.

If you and I do not personally know a farmer who has died, I am sure we know someone who has died from cancer. Each passing year, the battle to end cancer and other autoimmune diseases is not being won. If the direct causes of these diseases are not from our food and water supplies, then what is?

Food Companies will try to convince you that their farming methods extend the shelf life of foods. They also reason that the chemicals added allow them to feed multiple millions of people who would otherwise starve. They are wrong! And the countless lives already loss prove them wrong.

If only we would ask a loving Creator to help us in this food crisis.

Food Companies need to admit the devastation they’ve reaped from their farming methods with the noxious chemicals they continue to add to the food supply.

Simply labeling certain food items organic is not enough. Every food item must be organic.

Do you really think our Creator would refuse to help us if we simply came clean and confessed that we cannot fix the damage already done?

Human stubbornness and pride prevents this from happening.

Up and coming adults (Millenials) who soon will be taking charge of society reason that since religion has failed, God must not exist. Wrong! We’ve failed. We’re here on Earth to learn lessons. This is not a philosophical statement, it’s our reality. And the elephant in the room is that our food supply is corrupted. God who created Heaven and Earth will fix the food supply issues for us. Millenials and Generation Z for that matter will not. We’ll soon learn that Christ must rule this Earth.

In the meantime, we the consumers must make better choices, one food item at a time.

As stated in my last blog post, I recently discovered Adirondack French Ice Cream Creamery. The vanilla flavor of this ice cream did not disappoint. You’ll have to try it for yourself to find out. The list of ingredients of Adirondack All Natural Vanilla French Ice Cream Creamery are: Cream, Milk, Cane Sugar, Nonfat Dry Milk, Egg Yolks, and Pure Vanilla Extract. You’ll also read on the back of the label that this ice cream is from rbST free milk and cream. Visit them at http://www.adirondackcreamery.com to learn more about their company.

Also, on the back of the Adirondack label you’ll read the slogan “Ice Cream as it Should Be.” I’ll like to add food as it should be. Use the power of your wallet to purchase from food companies and farms that are trying to do the right thing. Your health will thank you for it.

I hope I’ve made an impact on what foods you will select the next time you are at the supermarket.

This article was not a paid advertisement or endorsement from any person, company, or product mentioned on this blog post. My goal as a copywriter is to promote products and services that truly serve humanity.

Please support your local farmer.

Next month I’ll be tackling the potato.

]]>https://wordgripactioncopywritingservice.com/2017/12/25/its-not-just-chemicals-in-ice-cream-that-are-bad-for-you/feed/0reginebaptiste20171221_183619Changing Your Taste For Ice creamhttps://wordgripactioncopywritingservice.com/2017/12/10/changing-your-taste-for-ice-cream/
https://wordgripactioncopywritingservice.com/2017/12/10/changing-your-taste-for-ice-cream/#respondSun, 10 Dec 2017 05:02:34 +0000http://wordgripactioncopywritingservice.com/?p=1618Continue reading Changing Your Taste For Ice cream]]>Are you used to that sugary high you get when you have ice cream?

With sugar being the cause of alot of health problems, it’s about time for us to lose that bad habit.

As with any addiction, the process begins with slowly weaning yourself so that you don’t experience any withdrawal symtoms.

You have to be fully committed when breaking any bad habit.

Making better health choices requires that you read the ingredients of any packaged food item.

Look up all the ingredients the next time you are buying ice cream. You’ll be surprised at how bad most of those ingredients are for you. Not to mention the sugar content.

When I started to read and look up the ingredients that were in ice cream, I started eating less of it. My choices were down to about three ice cream brands.

Recently, at a supermarket I normally don’t go to, I was looking for some ice cream. As I checked out each brand of ice cream, most had questionable amounts of sugar and ingredients.

I was pleasantly surprised to discover Adirondack French Ice cream Creamery. Not only did the ice cream taste less sweet than most, it was refreshing. I tried a new flavor, Kulfi Pistachio Cardamom. This ice cream did not have the typical neon green color of most pistachio ice creams. Although, I was missing a strong cardamom flavor profile, the taste of salty pistachios nuts came through. I had no guilt feelings after eating this ice cream.

I haven’t had ice cream in over a month. Sugar is not a priority. My health is.

But when I do, I can’t wait to try another flavor from Adirondack French Ice cream Creamery.

]]>https://wordgripactioncopywritingservice.com/2017/12/10/changing-your-taste-for-ice-cream/feed/0reginebaptiste20171121_175536When Was The Last Time You Did Something Ordinary and Become Successful? — Cognizancehttps://wordgripactioncopywritingservice.com/2017/11/28/when-was-the-last-time-you-did-something-ordinary-and-become-successful-cognizance/
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Have you ever dreamt of being one of your idols, Mark Zuckerberg? Evan Spiegel? Sophia Amoruso? If you wanting to become one of them, you have to do what others won’t do to stand out from the crowd. There is no way that easy work can lead to a successful future, it’s all about doing […]

A couple of months ago I was at the tasting event, “Explore West Harlem.” It was hosted by the NY Women’s Chamber of Commerce. I must say I had the most refreshing cold pressed juice from Eden’s Garden Juices. The mantra for their brand is “I decide, I am…enough”

Really, all we can do is put our best foot forward everyday. You can and should study or work as hard as you can. Yet, most times the world doesn’t seem to pay you back or return in kind your best efforts.

“I decide, I am…enough” is just accepting the way things have turned out. There’s always this pull to make things better, push harder, well if you’ve done all that and nothing has budged, it’s time to say, “I decide, I am…enough” Here’s a brand I can truly identify with. Genius.

There are some things beyond our control. What a humbling thought. It’s not about quitting or giving up. You just have to come to a peaceful place where you’ve given it your best shot.

Now is the time to pause, reflect, and review. What’s working what’s not.

It’s here where you rejuvenate yourself and rest for a while. Take a break. Look at the full picture of life, instead of seeing yourself running here and there to make a deadline. Now’s the time to sharpen your tools and get ready for the next phase.

Thanks, Eden’s Garden Juices for that lesson. It took time to understand. Truly a brand to be proud of.

I’ll also like to make mention of another company at the West Harlem event, Honor Thy Sweets, LLC. This small business makes memorable vegan cupcakes. Very moist and guilt free small bites of deliciousness.

]]>https://wordgripactioncopywritingservice.com/2017/11/22/edens-garden-juices/feed/0reginebaptistePomegranate For The First Timehttps://wordgripactioncopywritingservice.com/2017/11/12/pomegranate-for-the-first-time/
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Today, was the first time I actually had a pomegranate. Sure, I drank pomegranate juice before. Getting at the seeds looked like too much of a hassle. Too much work for so little reward. Gulping down a mouthful of juice, yeah that was where it was at.

Some weeks ago I saw some pomegranates at a corner store for $1.29 and made a mental note to buy two. One for me and one for my dad. You see, dad has been suffering from dementia for some time now. I have tried to engage him with new but simple experiences through food. As with any change of his diet, I googled and found that pomegranate just like grapefruit would be a contraindication to his heart medication. The vitamin K in pomegranate is not needed in his diet.

That was the plan. Dad is now in a nursing home. The plans we have get abruptly shifted.

You see, becoming a copywriter would have allowed me the freedom to assist my dad. I wanted to work from home. It’s because of my dad that I was able to get the training as a copywriter. He wanted to be with me and I with him.

An Haitian aide at the nursing home so richly coined the creole phrase, “You are your dad’s walking stick.”

Now he’s in the hands of others.

Another aide encouraged me to bring food for him. It won’t be the same. You see it was just a few steps from the kitchen to the dining room table.

Yes, eating a pomegranate takes some time. Much like caring for a loved one who can no longer do much for themselves. Dad’s diaper changes, bathing, getting him into bed, trying to get him to verbalize his feelings took time. Getting dad up early and bathed in the mornings, I was always met with, “I’ll do it later.” I had temp. jobs to get to and would say back , “Dad you are going to make me late for work.” He always shrugged his shoulders.

Not anymore.

As I sat and dug into the pomegranate it was much like savoring each time I had reached out to my dad. It took time to get at those tiny seeds.

I am on the couch with my pomegranate, I look across and the hospital bed in the living room is empty. Hoping to see dad there, instead, I reach down and place a pomegranate seed in my mouth.

Thanks dad. You’ve done all you could.

Every time I eat a pomegranate I’ll always be reminded of all my father has done for me. One seed at a time.

The Thursday before the Great American Eclipse, I was sitting at my first networking event in about a year.

I wasn’t thinking about the eclipse to occur on Monday.

Life had truly been a blur.

I was so excited in 2015, dutifully completing my first Copywriting course ever and reading every book I could find on Copywriting.

Between 2015 & 2016, I tried to network and attend as many small business events while temping at 20 or so odd non-profit to profit businesses.

Towards the end of 2016, I decided to try my hand at an Advanced Training in Copywriting course in hopes of landing my first client.

Well, I didn’t grab a single client in 2016.

There I was as most people are on January 1st 2017 wondering what had not happened in 2016. This was no ordinary first day of the Roman calendar year. I was sitting in the emergency room with my dad after he had suffered from a stroke that day.

Then about two weeks ago, I got an invite from the New American Chamber of Commerce…..Oh okay! Somebody out there remembered me!

The invite was to a store in Harlem called “The Brownstone.” I sat there envious of an immigrant who had not even been in the United States for a month & was already at a networking event beaming with energy about what good old America had to offer.

What had I missed?

I got up and introduced myself as a copywriter. Just hearing myself say the title “copywriter” created a jolt in me. At “The Brownstone,” I made a statement about being authentic but got the response that I didn’t want to hear, “Faking it until you make it.”

Hmmmm, is that what I had been doing from temp. job to temp job, “faking it until you make it?” It has been just one frustrating experience after another.

You can’t fake disappointment. You can’t fake, I’ve been working but not as a copywriter. No matter what you do, you can’t fake a JCPenny special and pretend you’re wearing a Jones NY outfit. Un-manicured nails, a boxed hair color and a soap and water facial is all I presented that night. The whole point of the networking event was about the “10 Step Program to Personal Presentation.” You guessed it, I’d missed all 10 steps, just as I was going to miss the eclipse. By the way most writers don’t care about a polished look. They’re too busy rearranging words.

Can you fake that you had seen an eclipse? Either you saw it or you didn’t. I myself was at work during the eclipse, and no one was offering a “temp.” the time to go out & pretend to see an eclipse that was mostly covered by the clouds in the New York City skyline.

Something strange happened AFTER the eclipse.

I got a call from a radio talk show saying that they heard about my writing a new book and that they were inviting me onto the show.

Jogging my memory, I did say at the age of 18 that I would write a book. I called the radio talk show back to say that I had not written a book but that I had copywriting services to offer.

This eclipse thing is an illusion. The moon appears as large as the sun.

So were my aspirations. Bigger than my reality. So is “faking it until you make it.”

Such is life.

My networking machine is revving up. I’ll be onto another networking event next week ready to tell someone else that I am an aspiring copywriter. Then as I twiddle my thumb, I’ll wait for that paid writing assignment.

Until that time, I’ll continue to blog, chug along in the copywriting world or rather finally write that book.

That’s how you “fake it until you make it.”

And that eclipse, you either got to see it or you didn’t. Or rather you’re either working as a copywriter or not.

An easy recipe for The BEST Vegan Blueberry Banana Scones! By now, you probably already know I have a thing for scones. You probably also already know I have a thing for vegan baking… even though I’m not vegan. It’s just something I have fun playing around with! And after your positive response to these…